Wildlife Control: Rockland County

Living Next to Harriman: Rockland County's Wildlife Conflict Challenge

Harriman State Park's 47,000 acres of protected forest make it one of the great natural assets of the New York metropolitan area. For Rockland County homeowners — particularly those in Montebello, Pomona, Suffern, Hillburn, Tuxedo, Sloatsburg, and Stony Point — proximity to this vast natural reserve means daily interaction with wildlife populations that exist at densities far higher than typical suburban environments.

Raccoons, squirrels, groundhogs, opossums, and deer move freely between the park and adjacent residential areas, using wildlife corridors and landscape features as pathways into neighborhoods. When these animals discover food, shelter, or nesting opportunities in or around homes, conflicts arise that require professional intervention.

Raccoons: The Most Challenging Rockland County Wildlife Problem

Raccoons are highly intelligent, dexterous, and adaptable — traits that make them extraordinarily effective at exploiting suburban environments. In Rockland County, raccoon populations are dense, year-round residents, and human-raccoon conflicts are among the most common wildlife calls we receive.

What Raccoons Damage

• Attics and soffits — raccoons are powerful animals that can tear through soffit panels, roof vent covers, and deteriorated fascia boards to access attic spaces for denning, particularly in late winter and spring when females seek sheltered birthing sites

• Chimneys — uncapped chimneys are preferred denning sites; a raccoon family in a chimney can deposit large amounts of feces (containing *Baylisascaris procyonis*, a dangerous roundworm) and cause serious damage to dampers and flue liners

• Garbage and compost — raccoons are persistent and creative food seekers; standard garbage can lids are no obstacle

• Gardens and lawns — raccoons roll back sod in search of grubs and damage vegetable gardens significantly

Humane Raccoon Exclusion and Removal

Our wildlife control approach for Rockland County raccoon problems follows a humane exclusion protocol:

1. Full property inspection to identify all active entry points, denning locations, and attractants

2. One-way exclusion devices that allow raccoons to exit but not re-enter, installed at all active entry points

3. Trapping and relocation for raccoons that cannot be excluded by one-way devices alone

4. Permanent exclusion — sealing all entry points with heavy-gauge wire mesh, metal flashing, and other materials raccoons cannot breach

5. Attic remediation — removal of soiled insulation, fecal matter, and nesting material, followed by disinfection

Squirrels: Small Animals, Big Damage

Gray squirrels are the most commonly encountered wildlife pest in Rockland County's residential areas. Their ability to squeeze through gaps as small as 1.5 inches makes virtually any home with aging exterior materials vulnerable.

Squirrel Entry Points

- Roof-to-soffit junction gaps, particularly in homes with aging wooden soffits

- Gable vents — standard louvered plastic vents offer no resistance to squirrels

- Roof vent covers — deteriorated plastic covers are easily chewed through

- Dormer roof intersections and chimney flashing gaps

Squirrel Damage Inside Attics

Squirrels in attics are not merely a nuisance — they cause serious damage. Electrical wiring chewed by squirrels is a documented fire hazard; according to the U.S. Fire Administration, rodent gnawing on electrical wiring is implicated in a significant percentage of house fires with unknown causes. Squirrels also destroy insulation, contaminate attic spaces with feces and urine, and introduce parasites including fleas and mites.

Eastern Red Squirrels and Flying Squirrels

Beyond gray squirrels, Rockland County properties near Harriman also encounter red squirrels (smaller, more aggressive, with distinctive rufous coloring) and northern flying squirrels (nocturnal, entering attics in late fall to overwinter in groups). Flying squirrels are particularly difficult to identify since they're active only at night; homeowners often mistake them for mice.

Groundhogs (Woodchucks): Foundation and Garden Threats

Groundhogs are powerful burrowers whose tunnels can undermine decks, stoops, sheds, and even foundation walls. A single groundhog burrow system can extend 25–30 feet with multiple entrance points. In Rockland County's suburban-rural interface communities, groundhog conflicts are common, particularly in spring and summer.

Groundhog burrows beneath decks and outbuildings also create habitat for secondary occupants — including skunks and rats — once the groundhog has moved on or been removed.

Our groundhog control approach includes live trapping, burrow location mapping, and permanent exclusion with underground wire mesh barriers to prevent re-establishment.

Deer: Landscape Damage and Tick Amplification

White-tailed deer don't enter homes but cause significant damage to landscaping and dramatically amplify tick populations. A single deer carries hundreds of adult ticks, making deer-accessible properties significantly more dangerous for Lyme disease exposure.

Deer management strategies for Rockland County properties include:

• Deer-resistant plantings — replacing preferred browse species with deer-resistant alternatives

• Physical exclusion fencing — properly installed deer fencing (8 feet minimum height) is the most effective long-term solution for protecting gardens and landscapes

• Habitat modification — reducing the attractiveness of your property to deer reduces tick burden on the property as a whole

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to trap and relocate wildlife in New York State?

New York State DEC regulations govern the trapping and relocation of wildlife. Our technicians are licensed and operate in full compliance with applicable state regulations. Call (845) 533-5288 for a consultation.

What's the best time of year for wildlife exclusion?

Late summer and fall — after young animals have become independent but before animals seek winter denning sites — is the optimal window for exclusion work. Spring exclusion must be done carefully to avoid trapping nursing mothers with young in the attic.

How do I keep raccoons out of my garbage?

Use heavy-duty containers with locking lids rated for raccoon resistance, or store containers in a locked garage or outbuilding until collection day. Call (845) 533-5288 for a complete property wildlife-proofing consultation.